The Greens are calling out the cruel decision to move along a community homeless kitchen out of Martin Place to make way for Vivid, leaving hundreds of people experiencing homelessness without a place to eat for the next month.

Greens Councillor Matthew Thompson said:
“This is cruel outcome that could’ve been avoided. Pushing aside a community kitchen that has operated for 15 years in Martin for a commercial festival? With only a couple of days’ notice? It’s not good enough.

“Sydney’s homeless deserve support and dignity — instead their community kitchen is being moved on to make way for some flashy lights and hoards of tourists.

“We’ve got thousands sleeping rough, countless more unable to afford food, and instead of doing more we’re shutting down a key lifeline for them.

“The City has said ‘declining the State Government’s request to host Vivid in Martin Place won’t end the food security crisis’.

“This is offensive at worst, wildly out-of-touch at best. We need to be coming to the table with solutions, not just passing the buck to the state government.

“The Greens will be moving at our next Council meeting to review how we protect public space for community services and the increasing number of rough sleepers.”